Moorpark to consider reduced vendor fees

The Moorpark City Council on Wednesday will consider a change in a municipal code that will let some vendors pay a reduced fee to do business in the city.

In December, the council directed staff members to reconsider code requirements for a business registration permit for anyone engaged in business in the city.

Businesses in Moorpark pay a registration fee of $90 for the first year and $35 for each year after.

The council recommended that the city reduce the fee to about $45 a year for each vendor that participates on a long-term, regular basis. Those that don't participate regularly would not have to pay the fee.

Concerns about business fees were brought to the council by the Moorpark College Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money for local college students. The foundation wants to hold an antiques fair and swap meet at the college every weekend to try to build a sustainable source of scholarship funding.

However, organizers don't want vendors to individually have to pay what they consider a costly registration permit fee to participate.

The fee change could affect vendors at a farmers market held each Friday. Vendors at the farmers market have been exempt from fees. Under the code change, nonfood vendors will have to pay the reduced fee.

The council Wednesday will also consider plans to widen Los Angeles Avenue between Maureen Lane and Leta Yancy Road. The council will authorize the city to advertise for construction bids on the project.

Pacific Communities Builders was supposed to widen the highway as part of its plans for a housing development. The developer's plans to widen the heavily traveled road to three lanes in both directions were deferred indefinitely.

The city has decided to widen the road itself and has budgeted about $1.1 million for the work.

The project includes widening the south side of Los Angeles Avenue and an addition of a center lane for left turns.

Bidding on the project is supposed to open March 5, and an award to do the project is expected March 20. Construction on the road is expected to start April 22 and end by Aug. 30.

This month, Nelson is moving on to another assignment in the Ventura County Sheriff's Office after being captain for five years in Moorpark. Capt. Steve Wade, who has been with the Sheriff's Office for more than 33 years, has replaced Nelson.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. at the Moorpark Community Center, 799 Moorpark Ave.